Roland
RD-2000
$2,500
Roland's professional stage piano — dual sound engines for the gigging pianist
5.6 Beginner 5.0 Night Practice 3.0 Portability 8.8 Touch Reality 5.6 Value
88 22 kg
View Details Kawai
Kawai MP11SE Review
Kawai's flagship stage piano with Grand Feel III wood action
88 Keys 33.5 kg grand feel iii Advanced
Scores
How These Scores Were Calculated
Beginner
5.6| Factor | This Piano | Points |
|---|---|---|
| Base Score | — | 3.0 |
| Lesson Function | No | +0 |
| App Connectivity | No | +0 |
| Recording | Yes | +1 |
| Metronome | Yes | +0.5 |
| Transpose | Yes | +0.3 |
| Layer / Split | Yes | +0.3 |
| Preset Songs | 0 | +0 |
| Sound Variety | 40 sounds | +0.5 |
Night Practice
6.0| Factor | This Piano | Points |
|---|---|---|
| Base Score | — | 2.0 |
| Headphone Jacks | 2 | +2 |
| Headphone Type | 6.3mm, 6.3mm | +1 |
| Headphone Optimization | No | +0 |
| Key Action Quietness | grand feel iii | +0 |
| Volume Control | Yes | +1 |
| Bluetooth Audio | No | +0 |
Portability
3.0| Factor | This Piano | Points |
|---|---|---|
| Base Score | — | 5.0 |
| Weight | 33.5 kg | -1.5 |
| Width | 1446 mm | -0.5 |
| Battery | No | +0 |
| Foldable | No | +0 |
| Key Count | 88 keys | +0 |
Touch Reality
9.4| Factor | This Piano | Points |
|---|---|---|
| Key Action Quality | grand feel iii (grade 9) | +5.4 |
| Key Count | 88 keys | +1.5 |
| Polyphony | 256 notes | +1.5 |
| Sound Modeling | Harmonic Imaging XL | +0.5 |
| Key Surface | ivory-feel | +0.5 |
Our Verdict
The MP11SE is Kawai's top-tier stage piano, built around the Grand Feel III wooden-key action — the same mechanism found in their most expensive home instruments, designed for professional performers who refuse to compromise on touch.
Pros
- • Grand Feel III action with real wooden keys and ivory-feel surfaces
- • 256-note polyphony for unrestricted sustain pedal use on stage
- • 40 premium sounds including Kawai's flagship SK-EX and EX concert grands
- • Dual 6.3mm headphone jacks for monitoring during rehearsal
- • Line-out connections for direct PA and recording integration
- • Comprehensive MIDI control for complex stage setups
Cons
- • 33.5 kg — extremely heavy for a stage instrument, requires road case and crew
- • No built-in speakers — completely dependent on external amplification
- • No Bluetooth — all connectivity is wired only
- • Premium price puts it out of reach for casual players
The MP11SE is built for one purpose: giving professional pianists the most authentic touch possible when an acoustic grand isn't available. The Grand Feel III wooden-key action is genuinely extraordinary — it doesn't feel like a digital piano, it feels like a piano. The 40 sounds are excellent, with Kawai's SK-EX sampling standing among the best in the industry. The enormous weight and lack of speakers mean this isn't for everyone, but for working professionals who tour, record, or perform regularly, the MP11SE is the instrument that earns its place on stage night after night.
Technical Deep Dive
About the Key Action
The Grand Feel III is Kawai's second-finest key action, one step below the Grand Feel III found in their concert-class instruments. It uses real wooden keys — not plastic with a wooden core, but actual long wooden key sticks that pivot and respond like a grand piano. The ivory-feel surfaces are textured for confident grip, and the counterweights in each key ensure that even the lightest pianissimo responds accurately. The let-off simulation is pronounced and realistic. This is as close to an acoustic grand as any portable instrument gets, and many professional pianists consider it superior to competing stage pianos costing even more.
Who Is This Piano For?
You're a professional pianist or a very serious advanced player who performs live regularly and needs the absolute best key action available in a portable format. You've played lesser stage pianos and felt the gap between their keys and a real grand. The MP11SE closes that gap more than any other stage piano. You have a road crew or at least a strong back, because 33.5 kg is a serious commitment to move. You also have a quality PA system or monitor setup, because there are no speakers here — every watt of sound comes from your external rig. This is a professional tool for professional musicians.
Specifications
| Keys | 88 |
| Key Action | Grand Feel Iii |
| Polyphony | 256 notes |
| Sounds | 40 |
| Weight | 33.5 kg |
| Speakers | — |
| Bluetooth | No |
| Key Surface | Ivory Feel |
| Sound Modeling | Harmonic Imaging XL |
| Headphone Jacks | 2 |
| Headphone Type | 6.3mm, 6.3mm |
| Headphone Optimization | No |
| USB MIDI | Yes |
| Line Out | Yes |
| Lesson Function | No |
| App Connectivity | No |
| Recording | Yes |
| Metronome | Yes |
| Transpose | Yes |
| Layer / Split | Yes |
| Preset Songs | 0 |
| Battery | No |
| Foldable | No |
| Dimensions (W×D×H) | 1446×437×192 mm |
| Stand Included | No |
| Pedal Included | No |
Recommended Accessories
🪑
Stand
Stand not included (sold separately)
A sturdy X-stand or furniture-style stand is essential if one isn't included.
🎧
Headphones
Closed-back headphones with good bass response make practice sessions more enjoyable.
🎹
Sustain Pedal
The included pedal is usually basic. A half-damper pedal upgrade is worthwhile for expressive playing.
💺
Bench
An adjustable-height bench helps maintain proper posture during long practice sessions.
How It Compares
MP11SE vs RD-2000
The MP11SE scores higher in Night Practice and Touch Reality. The RD-2000 costs $500 less. Choose the MP11SE if you prioritize quiet practice.
Roland RD-2000 →MP11SE vs VIVO S7 Pro
The MP11SE scores higher in Night Practice, while the VIVO S7 Pro edges ahead in Portability and Value. The VIVO S7 Pro costs $500 less. Choose the MP11SE if you prioritize quiet practice.
Dexibell VIVO S7 Pro →MP11SE vs SV-2 88
The MP11SE scores higher in Night Practice and Touch Reality. The SV-2 88 costs $800 less. Choose the MP11SE if you prioritize quiet practice.
Korg SV-2 88 →Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Kawai MP11SE good for beginners?
It's decent for beginners. The Kawai MP11SE scores 5.6/10 on our Beginner scale — it covers the basics but may lack some advanced learning features found in higher-scoring models.
Does the Kawai MP11SE have Bluetooth?
No, the Kawai MP11SE does not have Bluetooth. You'll need a USB cable for app connectivity.
How heavy is the Kawai MP11SE?
The Kawai MP11SE weighs 33.5 kg (74 lbs). It scores 3/10 on our Portability scale. This is a stay-in-place instrument — plan its location before setup.
Can I use headphones with the Kawai MP11SE?
Yes. The Kawai MP11SE has 2 headphone jacks (6.3mm, 6.3mm). It scores 6/10 on our Night Practice scale.
How many keys does the Kawai MP11SE have?
The Kawai MP11SE has a full 88-key keyboard, the same as an acoustic piano. This gives you the complete range for any piece of music.
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Dexibell
VIVO S7 Pro
$2,500
Italian sound engineering and wooden keys — at half the price of a Nord
5.6 Beginner 5.0 Night Practice 4.5 Portability 9.2 Touch Reality 6.1 Value
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View Details Korg
SV-2 88
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Vintage soul in a stage piano body
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View Details